Pasquet, Claude

Artist/Band/Group Birthday :	10/08/1956(Age 68)
Born In/Current Location :	Miami, Florida
Occupation(s) :	Singer, Guitarist
Genres :	Compas Direct
Solo/Band/Group :	Magnum Band

Born in one of the most famous Haitian family of musicians (Dodof, Archibald, Alexandre, Jean, Richard, and
Raymond Legros), Claude (Tico) Pasquet was destined to bring life to a musical instrument and to make the artistic
contribution to Haitian music he was born to craft. Was he going to follow the path of his most famous uncle (Dodou
Legros) and play the guitar? No, he will follow the path of his other uncles (Alexandre and Richard) and play the
drums. Since he was a little boy, the drums fascinated Tico. Why the drums? “Because this is LIFE, it’s the heart of
music! It is the instrument that brings life to music!” the boy would explain. Because of his family ties, he was then
able to watch and be in contact with drummers like Ti Charles, Jean Jean Laraque, and Daniel Mayala.
Tico Pasquet started to play publicly in 1965 with “La Belle Etoile” a neighborhood musical group in Port-au-Prince’s
4th Ave Bolos.Two years later, because of politics, his family moved to New York. There, Tico Pasquet was
immediately drafted in “Les Freres Sicot”. This is when Tico got on the international stage and, even at that tender
age, his talents were evident. Encouraged by these accomplished musicians, Tico made it a point to every day play
better, faster, and cleaner. He then started to pay attention to the techniques of international drummers like Steve
Gadd and Harvey Mason.

In 1969, Tico decided to start playing with musicians his own generation and joined “Babby Jazz”, then “Les
Difficiles de New York”.But then came the 1971 Casa Borinquen performance, it was Tico Pasquet, the master
drummer, acknowledged Tito Puentes who was also performing that night. After his sensational performance, Tico
became one of the most requested Haitian drummers.
The next year, in 1972, he agreed to play with Robert Martino in “Les Gypsies”. During the next four years, Tico’s
talents simply busted out! He established himself as the Master and took Haiti by storm. He was drumming like no
Haitian has drummed before. He was able to harmoniously combine several rudiments within amazing patterns. In
addition, contrary to Haitian drummers before him, his kicks were extremely active participants amidst the odd metered rhythm he created.

It was phenomenal! And, from that moment forward, Tico changed drum playing in Haitian Compas forever and became the standard.

With the emergence of Magnum band in 1976, Tico Pasquet and his brother, Dadou Pasquet, created a unique
sound in Compas that blends elements of Haitian root, jazz, pop, and soul filled Creole music. Some of their most
famous works include” Paka Pala”, “Ashadei”, ” Fierté”, ” Moun Sa”, “Pike Devan”,” Se verite”, and “Courage”.
After almost 40 years in the business, Magnum band built a musical legacy that has influenced many musicians of
our generation. Today Magnum band is still performing strong, and sounds just as good (if not better) now as it did
then. As a testimony to their faith and endurance in the long journey of the Haitian music industry.

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